Confession/Penance

During his public life Jesus not only forgave sins, but also made plain the effect of this forgiveness: he reintegrated forgiven sinners into the community of the People of God from which sin had alienated or even excluded them.  A remarkable sign of this is the fact that Jesus receives sinners at his table, a gesture that expresses in an astonishing way both God's forgiveness and the return to the bosom of the People of God.  (CCC 1443)

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members.  This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  (CCC1421)

Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. (CCC 1422)

Confession is offered by schedule once a week at Saint Patrick's, on Saturday from 3:00 - 3:30.  WPC offers families the opportunity to go to confession twice a year, once during Advent and once during Lent.

A Reference For Steps to Receiving the Sacrament of Penance (Confession)

Before entering the confessional, think of what sins you may have committed - when you might have said "no" to God.

The Confession of Sins:

  1. When you enter the confessional, with Father, you begin with the sign of the cross.  You say: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen."

  2. You say:  "Bless me father, for I have sinned.  It has been ___ since my last confession and these are my sins."  Now tell your sins out loud to Father.

  3. When you finish telling Father all of your sins, you simply say: " That is all Father, and I am sorry for all my sins."

  4. Father will talk to you and give you your penance, which might be prayers or good deeds.

  5. After Father tells you your penance, Father forgives your sins - your sins are absolved.

  6. At this time, Father may ask you to say your Act of Contrition.  Now say the Act of Contrition.

  7. Father will then say: " Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good."  You say: "His mercy endures forever."

  8. Next Father will tell you to go in peace or something similar.  You say:  "Thank you Father."

  9. When you leave, return to a pew or go to the altar railing and say your penance.  Thank God for His forgiveness and His Love for you.

The Act of Contrition:

Oh my God I am heartily sorry for having offended thee and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments.  But most of all, because they offend thee my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen